Kevin McCarthy Blames His Old Foe Matt Gaetz ‘For Lying’ to Trump Over Failed AG Nomination

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) blamed former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) for his failed attorney general nomination.

Last month, Gaetz withdrew his name for consideration to lead the Department of Justice under President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. The former Florida lawmaker faced allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor following a House Ethics Committee investigation.

During a Sunday morning interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, McCarthy blamed Gaetz for the failure of his AG nomination. McCarthy and Gaetz have had a public rivalry ever since the former Florida congressman brought forward the vote to oust McCarthy from the speakership.

McCarthy accused Gaetz of “lying” to Trump regarding the severity of the allegations in the ethics report.

BARTIROMO: And Kevin, what is your opinion or reaction to President Trump initially naming Matt Gaetz as the AG?

MCCARTHY: Well, no one thought that would pass. I blame Matt Gaetz for lying to the president about his ethics report. People know that. That’s why he made the motion against me. People know. That’s why he’s not capable of even staying in Congress. He needed an excuse to resign because the ethics report would be done in a couple of days. And that’s unfortunate. But it’s a better Congress today where they’re going forward.

Watch the clip above via Fox News.